Newcastle v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions, and Best Bets

Newcastle host Chelsea in the EPL on Saturday. The Magpies have plenty of injury concerns and have lost three of their last six fixtures. The Blues are in improved form with eight goals registered in the last two matches.

Newcastle Form

After the Toon’s slow start to the season, they lost just one of the next 12 in all competitions with 12 clean sheets. After a 4-1 home win over PSG and a 4-0 home win over Crystal Palace in their next match at St. James’ Park, they surprisingly lost 1-0 on home turf to Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League.

After a 2-2 draw at Wolves, a strong response saw Eddie Howe’s team win 3-0 at Man Utd in the Carabao Cup and then 1-0 at home vs Arsenal albeit after a contentious winner just past the hour mark. With a spate of injuries, Newcastle have lost 2-0 in their last two matches: away at Dortmund and away at Bournemouth.

Newcastle Team News

Eddie Howe has question marks over a dozen players for this match. Dan Burn and Sven Botman are ruled out in defence and Fabian Schar is a major doubt. Matt Targett is also ruled out and Lewis Hall can’t face his parent club. Tino Livramento may need to cover at the left back.

Sandro Tonali is banned, and Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Callum Wilson, and Harvey Barnes are all ruled out too. Alexander Isak is hoping to be available, and Miguel Almiron should shake off a knock to start in the front three. Bruno Guimaraes returns from suspension in midfield.

Newcastle Motivation

Newcastle are excellent at home and tend to play at breakneck tempo. However, their squad is very thin, and many players are carrying knocks.

A more conservative approach is expected, and the Magpies may be satisfied to take a point against a direct rival.

Chelsea Form

Mauricio Pochettino is slowly making progress with this team. The poor start which saw five points from the opening six fixtures is now in the rear-view mirror. They have followed the 1-0 home losses to Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa with a streak of five wins in eight matches across the league and Carabao Cup.

A 2-0 win at Fulham preceded a 4-1 success at Burnley. A 2-2 home draw with Arsenal would have irked the coach as his side led 2-0 after an hour. A 2-0 home loss to Brentford followed but that is looking like an anomaly. They won 2-0 vs Blackburn in the League Cup and then beat nine-man Tottenham 4-1 away with 4.12 xG produced. Their last match saw a classic as they scored late to draw 4-4 at home with Man City.

Chelsea Team News

Chelsea are still set to be missing Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana in defence and Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku in attacking midfield areas. The latter is close to a return whilst Armando Broja has shaken off an injury to increase options.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are expected to start despite playing in the early hours of Wednesday in South America. Levi Colwill is doubtful at left back with Marc Cucurella on standby to deputise once again.

Chelsea Motivation

The Blues may see this as a big chance to beat a top-four rival. With Newcastle’s injuries, Pochettino may play a more aggressive game and try for all three points.

Chelsea won’t be possession-focused and will play on the break. They will also have to guard against the hosts’ pace whilst knowing they have very few game-changers on the bench.

Key Stats

Newcastle have won their last 4 EPL home matches to nil

Newcastle have lost 3 of their last 6 matches

Chelsea have won their last 3 away Premier League fixtures

Chelsea have won 2 of their last 3 away matches vs Newcastle

Verdict

This could be a very tight game. Chelsea may just surprise the injury-riddled Magpies in this clash.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.95

Value Bet: Chelsea win at 2.80

Multiplier Leg: Chelsea win/draw double chance + Under 4.5 goals at 1.74

BET Contributor